"always smiling and always will"...a moto of mine that has stuck with me for years. Loving life since my transplant! Taking on various challenges from the Bupa Great South Run; UK, European & World Transplant Games in various sports; travelling the globe & sailing in the Clipper 11-12 Race. This year competing with Team GB in the World Transplant Games, South Africa

Jussie sails with Clipper 11-12

I sailed the last leg (8) in 2012 - USA,Nova Scotia,Ireland,Netherlands & UK. Travelling 4,000 miles, approx 22 days at sea, with 4 races in this leg.

Monday, 15 June 2009

Where does time fly away too? I realise I have been quiet since my last post in April...so decided to leave a little update...and will write more soon!

Exciting things are happening soon - my 3rd transplant anniversary in July (9th) - and will actually celebrate this on 11th. The British Transplant Games for 5 days in Coventry (end July/beg August).

And soon to be part of the 'Gifts of Life' photographs/project by Sarah Milne...watch this space.

And hopefully something even more compelling for a well known shop in their magazine (which will be all across the UK), for July/August edition. I will say more soon (early July....so be patient until then....hahaha).

Last weekend, I drove to Nottingham for the annual LAM Action meeting - which was great to see existing and welcome new Lammies. Although I would rather no one has this disease....but maybe research is positive now with early diagnosis...better that way and to be able to offer hope and medical trials to slow down the progression of Lam. Instead of 10 years for me - for my diagnosis and suffer horrendously! It is always a positive day and lots learnt, and also simply lovely to be able to chat to other women - not many of us - still a rare illness, and we support each other.

I'm still training hard for the transplant games...then will need continue after them for my 10mile marathon in October. Then, I will need a holiday!!!

I will organise a Just Giving Link soon to detail all my events this year and other elements to assist fundraising for Lam Action.

Going back to sleep now.... as I have a run class followed by long jump coaching in not many hours. And before I sleep again (why I wake up during the night for few hours then fall asleep again...blah..)And, thanks again to Fran Cliffe who has been helping coach me for sprinting and long jump (I have never had any assistance like this before ever) and really appreciate the time Fran puts in. I am learning heaps...and whether I win or not - I am grateful to feel more "pro" and look forward to the games to put in all my hard work and Fran's coaching tips.

Contact ME

World Transplant Games

Website used from 2005-2009

About Me

I am very lucky to be alive after a double-lung transplant in July 2006. I suffered the rarest lung disease called, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (Lam). I kept fighting for my life and trying to breathe each time my lung collapsed (15 times). I used to be on 24 hour oxygen to help me breathe and also wheelchair bound. At one stage I ended up in a coma (3weeks) and remained on life support for almost 2 months. I had to learn how to walk again with a zimaframe, and start to re-build my life/confidence/strength up. I want to enjoy my life with the extension this transplant has given me. My journey post transplant has been challenging with health issues, but, I try to remain as positive as possible.